Columbus, Ga. – Aug. 29, 2005 – Aflac honored Miriam Lopez as the recipient of the 2005 Hispanic Achievement Award for Business Entrepreneurship. Lopez, who is president, chief executive officer and member of the board of directors for TransAtlantic Bank in Miami, received the award on Aug. 18 in San Francisco. It was presented by Aflac and Hispanic magazine, the largest English language monthly magazine for Hispanics in the United States.

The annual award recognizes Hispanic Americans who have made significant contributions in their chosen fields and have demonstrated a positive impact on the Hispanic community.

“Mrs. Lopez's contributions to south Florida in the financial arena for almost 30 years, as well as her leadership and service to her community, make her an obvious choice for this award,” said Mitzi Jackson, supervisor of Aflac's Recruiting Multicultural Development Department. “Aflac is proud to present the 2005 Hispanic Achievement Award for Business Entrepreneurship to such a deserving person.”

Lopez served as chair of the American Bankers Association Community Council from 1999-2000 and as president of the Florida Bankers Association from 2000-2001. She serves on the board of trustees of Barry University and is a mentor in the local public school system. She received her bachelor's degree in education in 1972 from Barry College and an accounting certificate from the University of Miami in 1972.

The Hispanic Achievement Award is one of Aflac's national sponsorships and is presented annually as part of the company's commitment to diversity. The award recognizes Hispanic business owners while promoting economic empowerment within minority communities across the country.

For 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan. Aflac's insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. In January 2005, Aflac was included in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the seventh consecutive year. Aflac has also been included in both Forbes magazine's Platinum 400 List of America's Best Big Companies and in Fortune magazine's listing of America's Most Admired Companies for five consecutive years. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.

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Aflac Incorporated
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